Cabinet to discuss ways on expressing Pakistan's resentment against the film. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet meeting on Wednesday has decided to observe September 21 as ‘Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh)’ day to express reverence for Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and register the government’s protest against the recently released anti-Islam film in the US, Express News reported.

The day has been declared as a national holiday as well.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, addressing the Cabinet meeting, said, “At this moment, I call upon the people of Pakistan to register their protests peacefully but to observe restraints and not to damage their own property.”

He added, “I have directed the Ministry of Information Technology to block YouTube in order to register our protest at the availability of this sacrilegious film on the website, and our demand for its immediate removal.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Ashraf suspended all agenda items on the list for today’s meeting and instead discussed ways and means to express Pakistan’s strong resentment against the film.

The controversial film has sparked protests all across the world by Muslims, protesting against the portrayal of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in the film.

The government has recently blocked YouTube in the country after the company refused to remove the film’s trailer from the site.

Along with Pakistan, other Muslim countries, including Afghanistan and Bangladesh have also blocked the website. In India, Youtube complied with government’s order and blocked the content.

Google said it was censoring the video in India and Indonesia after blocking it on Wednesday in Egypt and Libya.

Proposal on agreement with YouTube

The cabinet discussed a proposal for entering into an agreement with YouTube to block only the required videos on the website, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told the media after the cabinet meeting.

He added that not only the US Ambassador to Pakistan, but also the US president and ministers have strongly condemned the blasphemous film. There was also a proposal to hold a meeting of Pakistani ambassadors to discuss the issue, he said.

Kaira also supported the idea of summoning the US Ambassador to Pakistan to the Foreign Office lodge a strong protest.

‘Government to provide protection during protests’

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that special security arrangements will be made on the Ishq-e-Rasool Day on Friday and the government will provide complete protection to protests being held on that day, reported Radio Pakistan.

Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, Malik said that no one will be allowed to take law into his own hands and damage private or public property during the protests.

He further directed the Crisis Management Cell to fully monitor the processions and directed all hospitals to stay on high alert.

Our cabinet should focused their attention on serious issues and stop yelling about video. Youtube is banned and what else do our cabinet really want. You are not elected to play a drama in Cabinet but you all are elected to serve the nation.

Last thing we need is another national holiday, considering how our economy is going. The world doesn’t care whether we have a holiday or not, what is required is an official protest and formulation of a policy that can ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again.

it is wastage of resources .i know most people will be sleeping in home . Be practical guys . It will be better if we come to work and have individual protest ceremony for hour or so on friday in office / school to record our protest in peaceful way .

So everyone protests that we don’t need Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day etc to show our love for them, we do this everyday, where does that argument go regarding this Love Muhammad day? I mean, you don’t love him daily?

There is no holiday for farmers, labourers and poor people. If they don’t work or don’t feed their animals, they and their children get nothing to eat.. Holiday is for free loaders and for those who live on other people’s money. Its not Ishq, its insult to Prophet

Instead of blocking websites, the Government (which is all powerful) should seriously take it up with the US Ambassador, send its emissary to White House to raise this issue, call for an OIC conference and ask Arab countries and Muslim World to pressurize west to make a law against blasphemy. Then we can say Pakistani Government is serious enough!!!

After this, there is not a single reason left for relecting the PPP. Mr. Bhutto tried to ingratiate with the enemies of the Jinnah’s Pakistan in 1973, 1974, and 1977. It did not work then and it will not work now.

This good news to hear from the Govt. that they now realise the problem.

So what is PTA directors are doing just touring US shaking hand with Ex-presidents, visiting Geneva for Internet Governance Conferences and coming back and establishing self control civil society on Internet in name if internet society and chapters in Pakistan.

On the other hand as mentioned in Article
“Google said it was censoring the video in India and Indonesia after blocking it on Wednesday in Egypt and Libya.”

This bring to Questions do we need PTA and other authorise in Govt. if they cant perform in these case as per mandate. Seems that Indonesia, India, Libya and Egypt has better IG system in place. Where is Pakistan Govt?

Some blockheads insults the prophet, Pakistan erupts in protests, killings, internet bans and the coup de grace, a national holiday. Why do we look for excuses for holidays ? Just make the whole year a national holiday, it seems nobody wants to work anyway. Let the Americans take care of us.Recommend

(1) Instead of declaring Sept. 21 as National Holiday. they should have declared Sept. 25 as National Holiday. This Sept. 25. is important for the government.

(2) Muslims often say that Islam teaches us this and that and on those lines. Many quote verses from Koran. Many comments in ET columns are on these lines. I am yet to hear a Muslim say that he have learnt this or that from Koran and are practicing those principles. When Muslims reach that stage, Koran and Islam will be respected all over the world, particularly by Muslims themselves.

(3) Had the fun of watching few talk shows in Pakistan channels where prominent anchors and religious leaders claim that any discussion on Holocaust is a crime in whole of Europe and USA. First it is not discussion on Holocaust that is a crime but denying Holocaust that is a crime. Further, discussions on Holocaust is not a crime in USA. Movies have been made on Holocaust. the 1970’s movie Odissa Files is a great movie and was a huge success in USA and throughout Europe. I pity the knowledge of the prominent anchors and more specifically the knowledge of the religious scholars.

(4) I am sure the whole world will accept if the Muslims want a law that is equally applicable to all religions. For instance, laws on conversions, restrictions and desecration of any religion or religious symbols. Muslims can preach conversions in other countries but others should also have the same right to preach conversions in Muslim countries. Christians from S. Korea should be allowed to propagate Christianity in Afghanistan and Pakistan and any Muslim country. If Muslim countries restrict others to build their places of worship, others can also do it in their countries. All countries shall follow uniform laws for all religion within their countries. For instance if the prayer calls on loud speakers are banned or building codes are applied for minarets, these should be applicable to all religions within their country. If Prayer calls on loud speakers are allowed for Muslims in Muslim countries, then others can also use loud speakers to disturb their neighbors. If videos offensive to others are posted on youtube by muslims, others can also do it. Will any Muslim country accept such uniform principles ?

Much has been written and said about this issue before, but the fact is that the film maker & U.S. have no concern about what a muslim feels about Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
We had to definitely launch an effective protest against it, and this day might be the beginning in this regard. So good job govt.
Furthermore, government must take this issue to U.S. Govt. and acknowledge them with great insistence that this cannot be tolerated, and they have to penalize the responsibles otherwise the matters can move to more serious phase and Pakistani and other Muslim country govts. won’t be able to stop the reaction.Recommend

We already love our Prophet (PBUH) very much. Do we need a holiday to prove/practice it?? Besides, nobody outside Pakistan is going to care if Pakistan has an off-day to prove their love to Prophet (PBUH). So, what difference does it make to what is going on in the West? Nothing! Just to please the religious sentiments of the masses, especially when the elections are nearby. Think of all the poor/daily wage people who will be out of work for the day! while others sleep. Would the Prophet (PBUH) have liked that?

Muslims do not require a special day – each and every day is Ishq-e-rasool (pbuh) day. The parliamentarians require to bring peacfull solutions to Pakistan and not debate on creating religious holidays.

So if Govt starts declaring national holiday’s for all the days in the year when Islamic sentiments were hurt… soon there will not be a single working day left! Do you really think that declaring a national holdiay is the way of protesting?!! The only impact this is gonna have is on pakistani economy, nothing else !

Cow is sacred to Hindus, but many slaughter and eat cows. In 2010, a TV series (South Park) in US showed Buddha snorting Cocain in a public park. Many movies have been made that question Biblical accounts of Jesus Christ. Many Indian gods are depicted in funny manner or insulting manner. Magazine Onion made a cartoon titled “No One Murdered Because Of This Image” showing Mosess, Jesus, Buddha and Lord Ganesh indulging in an orgy. there are many more such examples.

But, None of the above has resulted in people being beaten up or deaths. In fact, even the protests were muted.

Condemnation, nonviolent protest are the right of every one in democratic societies. But, to beat someone, resort to violence, hate speech, even kill someone etc. aren’t something that can be accepted by any civilized society.

Muslim societies will only cut their own nose by resorting to such forms of protest.

There already was a strike planned. It was a good move by the government to declare it a holiday to avoid untoward incidents. People really need to grow up and stop blaming PPP for all social ills.Recommend

@Raj – USA Sofa King Dumm:
Why? Truth hurts ?
Yes I have heard of Bamyan Bhuddas destroyed by the so called good muslims. I see regularly videos of Muslims slaughtered by Muslims. I do not consider Pakistanis representing Muslims when they are the ones now bringing bad name to Islam throughout the world. Tell me one good thing Pakistani Muslims have done that has brought good name to Islam. Just one example that was and being practiced would do. Not just preachings and quoting from Koran.

For your information, I have studied in Catholic College in India. This college was in the center of a Muslim locality. So, I had many classmates who were Muslims and we were all friends. I have said this long time ago in ET. BTW, have you heard of South Korean Missionaries abducted in Afghanistan a few years ago. Some of these Missionaries were also killed. It happened just 4-5 years ago.

Do you have a problem if what is applicable to others also apply to Muslims?

I would work extra hard on September 21 as ‘Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh)’ day to express reverence for Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). By working hard and honestly I can do express myself a lot better than sitting at home, or destroying property. We need another holiday like a fish needs bicycle.
In fact I want to work hard and honestly to celebrate each day of my life as as ‘Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh)’ day. Why limit myself to love the prophet for one day a year only? I hope I am not committing blasphemy by working hard and make an honest living.

the Ishq e Rasool is not strengthened by holidays, but by upholding human rights, dignity of human lives and public office holders discharging their duties honestly instead of indulging in corruption, loot and plunder and swearing oaths of allegiance on Holy Book to uphold constitution and not respecting or following the constitution in letter and spirit. Our Rasool (Peace be upon Him) stresed upon honesty, humility and respect for others, which we do not follow. Those who take false oaths on holy book and give false evidence commit perjury and blashphemy, not those who belong to other faiths.

A very good step by our popular government. This government is reflecting the will of the people and isnaha’allah will come into power for five years once again by the blessings of the Prophet (PBUH). Not just for five years, but for many, many tems insha’allah and we will continue to live and proposper under its able guidance for decades insha’allah.

Very good step by our popular government. Government is acting according to the will of the people an will insha’allah come into power once again for five years with the blessings of Allah. No only five years, I pray that we have this government for many, many decades to come so taht we can continue to live and prosper under this great government, Ameen. Aik Zardari, sab pay bhari!!!

Holiday…………..ridiculous…..raja was too late in banning YouTube in Pakistan whereas Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh did it fast. The best way of protest to ban YouTube once and for all until YouTube management duly apologies and amend their policies Recommend

Declaring a holiday on Friday by the GOVT seems an effort to prevent people from participating in the demonstrations. People are not demanding a Holiday on Friday but to expel US embassies , ambassadors and US presence in Pakistan and Muslim world .

How about showing your love with your prophet by cleaning your streets, building clean toilets at your schools and working an additional day in week? That way you will have collective improvement of thousands of hours whereas if you do not work on even regular work day you would be that many hours left behind!

@Raj – USA:
your argument makes sense… logical but not true in exact manner. hindus do not allow slaughtering a cow you agree for it even if it is practiced in india in an unwanted and blasphemous manner?… most of religions allow certain diet which hinduism doesn’t. i bet you will protest if this is done in unwanted manner in a hindu dominant society. this is how it is. point is that, no one should be allowed to disgrace other religious figures, as far as preaching is concerned its fine. everyone should have this right and they do. don’t you think television channels ant preaching their favorite religion? they do. watch star plus and others….

Oh seculars of Pakistan; you have no guts to stand up and do the right thing.Bunch of hypocrites you are. This is PPP doing just to regain some populairty using peoples emotions , exploiting Islam once again; Remember ZAB declaring Ahmadis non muslims and friday as holidya.Why to blame mouvis and illiterates then.I say again ; moulvies are doing the right thing from their most narrow perspective — but seculars are just being coward and hypcrite as today as always since Forties.
So my dear IT crowd wake up and tell your leaders to mend their ways or we are doomed.Film is the most disguting not watcable and to be condemned , but you know what , they produced it exactly muslims reactions in mind. Now they are laughing at us — and I am crying at PPP— the liberal and secular.

all praise to Allah the almighty and peace and love to His prophet Mohammad PBUH. besides condemning the cheap act of film making i must say i am surprised to see how Muslims are reacting to this matter. for those this matter is just about playing politics they are doing it for those this matter is just about calculation of profit and loss after the announcement of this holiday they are also not behind in garbing the opportunity to become as good an economist as was that idiot filmmaker, and what is the economic progress even if this holiday is taken away from the script? Pakistan was not threating America or china economy wise anyway. for Muslims economy comes after being alive and Mohammad comes before living at all. My question is that there is always an opportunity cost involved in economic decision making even. Would it be a wise move to let the anger build up in people and flow around without a direction? it would be more violent then. don’t you think that a controlled evacuation of the emotions is better then out of control flames of hatred? Don’t you think (if you are a Muslim of course) that Mohammad SAW was and is declared far more superior then the families , lives and all other loveable things of Muslims? for those this matter is about enjoying heated discussions on media they are doing it. But trust me for those this is a life and death matter they need an outlet to evacuate their anger and its better if it is governed by the authorities themselves. the conspiracy theory of Illuminati is also alive again in a way as it was predicted in you tube videos far earlier that on this September eleven satanists who are disguising themselves under the veil of all religious groups and parties will arrange something nasty on this September eleven as they have to perform this ritual after every 11 sun years. you may watch the numerology of Illuminati video yourself if you want to inquire further in to it. what is worrying for all of us is the response towards Muslims towards matter. surely there should not be blind and innocent killings and violent protest . but the matter is far too serious then just to protest for the sake of it.
May Allah Guide us to what is best for Mankind.
Ameen.

@syed:
I think Muslims in Pakistan know very little about Hindus. Your statement that hindus do not allow slaughtering a cow is wrong. It is only that Hindus do not slaughter cows themselves. You get beef in almost all cities of India, even today. You can regularly see cows trucked in lorries and taken to slaughtering houses. Hindus do not eat Pork also. Most Hindus eat chicken and mutton although many wrongly believe all Hindus are vegetarians. I agree that Hindus do not like cows slaughtered but if you do it away from the hindu community areas, there is no problem. Have you ever heard of even one restaurant that serves beef being attacked in India? I have not. You can also buy beef and pork in super markets in India.

On preaching of religion, Hindus do not have a problem with preaching of any religion. There may be rare exceptions in certain pockets. But you cannot compare exception to a rule. What Hindus have a problem is with forced conversions. There is also a problem when you try to convert someone deceivingly or disgrace other religions to influence and achieve conversion. Christians also have this problem with Muslims. Every religion preaches something good and it is good for everyone to know the good preachings from all religions.

The problem comes when you want a right for yourself and deny it to others and even punish them for wanting their rights. This is the problem today in Pakistan amongst the various sects of the same religion also.

Even Manmohan Singh should announce a holiday on 21st in India, protesting the film. Also a Fatwa should be issued by the parliament of India on the heads of those who participated in the making of that film.

Also the name of the country should be changed from India to Islamic republic of India.

By observing Ishqe Rasool Day, our responsibility is over or we have more love to our Nabi.
The crusade against Islam will be over forever and the culprits are brought to justice as per Shariah law. All our Islamic Governments are remained duty bound to it or not?

Does the decision to have a holiday impact the person/s who made the movie ? No.
Will it stop anyone from making another one ? No.
Will it pressure the Western government’s to take action against the film makers ? No.
Will it raise Pakistan’s standing amongst Muslim nations ? No.

Which country has lost one day’s GDP with this holiday ? Pakistan
Which country cannot afford to lose even one day’s GDP ? Pakistan
Who stands to gain something with this decision ? Pakistan government in appearing to do something about the matter.
What will people who are so vociferously protesting and destroying public property ? Its a long weekend. People will go to their villages and take another couple of days off. Its been so long since the week long eid holiday.

I have one direct question to both of you and also all other Pakistani Muslims and would appreciate direct answer and not any indirect interpretations or justifications.

Pakistan’s constitution prohibits blasphemy against Islam and blasphemy against Islam is punishable by death penalty.

My question is that if this blasphemy law apply to blasphemy of other religions also. For instance, if a Muslim commits blasphemy against Hinduism or Christianity, will the muslim person committing blasphemy against hinduism or christianity be punished.

My understanding is that according to Pakistan’s Constitution you can commit blasphemy against any other religion as much as you want but cannot do so against Islam. If I am not correct, please quote or point out to me the exact words in the Constitution (not your interpretation) that specifically mention so. Also, in all these 65 years has even one FIR been recorded against any muslim for blasphemy of any other religion other than Islam.

I hope you understand the my question as you both have raised issue of Christians in India. Can you point out even one word in Indian constitution where an act committed by hindu is not a crime but it becomes a crime if committed by a muslim? Is it not true that this is not the case in Pakistan?

Peace full protest against USA
1. Hang the responsible person for this act in USA
2. If peoples in USA allow to say any thing than why Christians and Israeli feel for comments on there relgious scholars when others say.
3. Pakistan must call the OIC meeting and passed the resoulution on this USA act.
4. Pakistan must forward a resulution to condmen this act of USA and France in UNO.
5. Pakistan must kick back ammabsodor of USA and France from PAkistan.
6. Muslims have full right to take revenge from USA on each and every Cost if USA can not stop there some stupid people.USA govt must hang these peoples by there Courts.Message for all world : NO Compromise on respect of Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

@Amjad , i appreciate your spirit . Can you mobilise more people to feel like you and act against America and west ..We in India will be immensely pleased as all the good will comes to India automatically for any territorial disputes.

This is for everyone who is questioning about why the government has declared a national holiday. I, including many others, think that it’s because of the potential threats of disturbances across the country on Friday.

Government had to choose between “safety of civilians” and “hunger of daily wages labor civilians” and it has chosen the former option as usual. We shouldn’t condemn this action; instead think that why we, the responsible, 49.9% of Pakistan’s blessed, educated civilians are unable to take care of the poor around us. Government had to choose one, they chose us. For a nation like Pakistan, the contingency plan for daily wages earners has still not been established.. till this happens STOP COMPLAINING AND DO SOMETHING ON YOUR OWN!

Saying all this I am not supporting our government, saying this I am declaring that we don’t have any high hopes from our present and future government cabinet.

This is for everyone who is questioning about why the government has declared a national holiday. I, including many others, think that it’s because of the potential threats of disturbances across the country on Friday.

Government had to choose between “safety of civilians” and “hunger of daily wages labor civilians” and it has chosen the former option as usual. We shouldn’t condemn this action; instead think that why we, the responsible, 49.9% of Pakistan’s blessed, educated civilians are unable to take care of the poor around us. Government had to choose one, they chose us. For a nation like Pakistan, the contingency plan for daily wages earners has still not been established.. till this happens STOP COMPLAINING AND DO SOMETHING ON YOUR OWN!
..
Saying all this I am not supporting our government, saying this I am declaring that we don’t have any high hopes from our present and future government cabinet.

another holiday? are mqm, anp, ji are not content enough to bring such joyfull occasions to karachites? i guess not, because govt thnks that there is margin for one more holiday. Unless OIC members take a collective stand nothing will deter the west. atleast not a public holiday

Dear Sir, It is admirable decision of the Government. Seminars highlighting the virtues of our beloved Prophet be arranged through out the country and all embasseys. This day should be observed every year.

Well all i can say THIS IZ NOT A SOLUTION the problem would not solve until muslims countries GOVT. would not sit togahter and they would not work on same aganda west need arab counties and this is a point we cant get togather all muslim countries should show thier loyality to the Propht MUHAMMAD PBUH.
In my personal opinion this iz the point we can get to gather if muslim countries will not show unity then they will make thinngs lik that every month and we cant do nothin so muslim countires should make a law about our religious matter about ISLAM about our BELOVED Prophet and go to UNO and fight till it solve.
the public are making a protest wich is valued and they are showing thier expressons and love but it would not work out till the countries govt would not shake the USA and those peopls whom are making propaganda.

@Atheist:
we are here for a gr8 cause so i humbly request to administrator of this site plz banned the people who are somehow speaking against this cause bcz they are the our enemies and hypocrite b/w us and they call it their fundamental rights even when they can’t bear the wrong words against their parents then how we can bear their barking against beloved Prophet Muhammad( S.A.W.W ) who is the most respectful personality in the world and if we honestly measure then we will find him the most sincere person with the world and their teaching equalize all humanity no difference even b/w president and normal people and it’s not end if i have to define his personality and teaching jst regarding how much he is beneficial for us then i believe words will be finished. i don’t believe someone can have hate in his heart for such a person who his kind and sincere with all humanity.

see what Pakistan Panel code says.. this law is applied to all religions… it does not allow blasphemy to any religion… i hope you get your answer… so correct your understanding..

295. Injuring or defiling place of worship, with Intent to insult the religion of any class:
Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction damage or defilement as an insult to their religion. shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

295-A. Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting Its religion or religious beliefs:
Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the ‘religious feelings of any class of the citizens of Pakistan, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations insults the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine, or with both.

@JAM:
If what you say is the actual law, I stand corrected. However, there is no mention of death penalty in what you have mentioned. I have heard in numerous TV talk shows and discussions and have also read in several news items where blasphemy of only Islam and Holy Prophet were mentioned. Blasphemy of any other religion was never mentioned or discussed.

Does Pakistan government cerebrate that blocking the mobile phone services,peaceful protests and condemnations are the permanent and forever solutions of this problem???????
Wow what the very funny thinking of Pakistani leaders is this if they think so!!!!Recommend

Yeah why not a whole year. Lets protest every single day and do zero work. Money and food will just flow in from nowhere to feed families. You mullas are the reason this country is in so much trouble right now